Learn Blander3D from scratch with a focus on games. You learn modeling, texturing, baking etc. A great site if you just can't get your mind 3d blended.
http://iamar.net/subpages/BlenderVids.html

I already added this link to the tutorials thread but want to draw special attention to this site because 1: It uses a recent version of blender AFTER the interface was cleaned up, 2: It is focused on games, no procedural materials or any of that hipoly stuff and 3: It is video tuts so even the most blender frustrated can give blender another try without stressful reading.
Everybody interested in editing nexuiz should know at least a little blender3d and many don't (it comes with a radiant .map exporter for god's sake!). This is the best way i've seen to learn.

Wow, good find, thanks!